Noise 'contour' around Pease airport shrinking

PORTSMOUTH — The amount of noise from the airport at Pease is shrinking, according to a draft document that is available for public review.

Comment

By Paul Briand

seacoastonline.com

By Paul Briand

Posted Apr. 26, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated Apr 26, 2014 at 1:53 PM

By Paul Briand

Posted Apr. 26, 2014 at 2:00 AM
Updated Apr 26, 2014 at 1:53 PM

» Social News

PORTSMOUTH — The amount of noise from the airport at Pease is shrinking, according to a draft document that is available for public review.

The draft Noise Exposure Map for 2015 to 2019 will be presented at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 8 in the Pease Development Authority board of directors room at 55 International Drive.

"The aircraft has gotten a lot quieter," said Bill Hopper, the PDA's manager of the Portsmouth International Airport, to explain the smaller noise contour.

The last comprehensive study of airport noise was done in 1995 as part of what Hopper called a "noise compatibility program." As a result of that study, certain homes in Newington and Portsmouth that fell within the noise contour were outfitted with sound insulation. As a follow-up to the 1995 study, the PDA contracted with Harris Miller Miller and Hanson Inc. of Burlington, Mass., experts in airport noise and noise mitigation, to update the "noise exposure map."

Hopper said the map documents sound levels current to 2015 and projects out to 2019. The draft of the map shows that from 1995 to now, the noise contour has shrunk, so much so, according to Hopper, that homes insulated as a result of the 1995 study are no longer in the envelope.

The noise exposure map is an interim step toward another comprehensive compatibility study that will be done in 2019.

"The FAA strongly encourages it as part of their funding program," Hopper said.

The consultants developed a baseline of noise by measuring day and night levels, using air traffic control records for flight data and talking to various airport users, including the U.S. Air Force, which operates the New Hampshire Air National Guard facility at the airport.

The consultants use the baseline data to project out to 2019 and, according to Hopper, they didn't project much change, even with the anticipated arrival of the next generation of in-air tankers that the National Guard's 157th Air Refueling Wing will start flying in 2017. The current KC-135 model is being replaced by the KC-46A. Hopper said the KC-135 has become quieter over the years as aerospace technology has developed.

"The assumption is that (KC-46A) will be a relatively quiet aircraft as well," he said.

Hopper noted the model aircraft Boeing built as the basis for the new tanker is currently being used as a passenger jet by Atlas Air, which is used for troop transports at the Pease airport.

The draft noise exposure map is available for review by calling Sandra McDonough at 433-6536 or e-mailing s.mcdonough@peasedev.org. The May 8 public meeting is designed to explain the methodology and results of the study, Hopper said.